A 23-year-old man has been accused in a fire that gutted 16 units at a southwest Houston apartment complex.

Christian Andre Horton is charged with arson in the blaze that erupted about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Mar Del Sol Apartments, 9303 Woodfair. Houston Fire Department officials said 16 units were heavily damaged by the flames.

According to court documents Horton, who lives at the complex, was being held in the Harris County jail in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Families lived in eight of the apartments, said HFD Capt. Ruy Lozano.

"We've already mobilized the Red Cross to assist us with the displaced residents," Lozano said.

A child in one of the apartments was rescued by a family member or a bystander at the scene. HFD officials did not have any further details.

A firefighter was taken to an area hospital to be checked out for a leg injury. There were no other injuries, officials said.

HFD arson officers were called to the scene to determine the cause and whether the fire was started on purpose.

The blaze apparently began somewhere in the center of the apartment block.

"The fire was spreading in both directions," Lozano said.

HFD commanders then triggered a second, then third, alarm, ultimately sending more than 100 firefighters to the scene. They were able to battle the growing fire from both ends and keep the flames from spreading.